made the fourteenth day of March in the year two thousand and twenty six, Witnesseth that Carol Danvers of the City of Sheffield, blacksmith and metal artist, doth by these presents set forth the whole record of her service at the forge, the masters she hath served, the arts and mysteries she hath learned, and the works wrought by her own hand, that any person reading the same may know her trade truly stated.
I have worked hot metal for 14 years, first as apprentice and now as master of my own forge in Attercliffe. My workshop turns out roughly 60 commissioned pieces a year, from door furniture to three metre public sculptures. I teach two apprentices at a time and hold that a straight scroll is harder than it looks. My work sits in 4 public collections across Yorkshire.
Danvers Forge & Metalworks, Attercliffe, Sheffield · Master Smith and Proprietor
from the year 2018 unto the present day
- Founded the forge with 2 anvils and a borrowed power hammer; the shop now employs 4 smiths and cleared £310,000 in commissions last year.
- Wrought the 3.2 metre forged steel gates for Kelham Reach Gardens, some 1,400 hours of work delivered 9 days ahead of the agreed date.
- Instructed 7 apprentices through their full term, of whom 6 remain in the trade.
Harkness & Dole Architectural Iron, Sheffield · Journeyman Smith
from the year 2014 unto the year 2018
- Forged railings, balustrades and brackets for 22 restoration contracts, including 180 metres of Victorian pattern railing for a listed terrace.
- Cut scrap and reheat waste by 12 per cent by keeping a proper stock book, a habit the foreman called fussy and then adopted.
Brindle's Forge, Stannington · Apprentice, bound for a term of four years
from the year 2010 unto the year 2014
- Served the full term under one master; learned fire welding, drawing down, punching and drifting on roughly 900 forge days.
- Made the customary apprentice piece, a set of 12 matched fire tools, judged sound at first inspection.
- Forge welding and fire management
- Traditional joinery: rivets, collars, mortise and tenon in steel
- Repoussé and chasing in copper and mild steel
- TIG and MMA welding, coded work to plate
- Power hammer and press tooling
- Scrollwork, water leaves and drawn finials
- Patination, waxing and finish for exterior work
- Working drawings, site survey and installation
In consideration whereof the said apprentice did faithfully serve, her secrets keep, and taverns and playhouses frequent no more than the trade doth customarily require.
Attercliffe Trade College, Sheffield · Advanced Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalwork
2008 – 2010 · passed with distinction; prize for the best forged gate in a class of 18
Guild of Yorkshire Artist Blacksmiths · Accredited Member since 2019
In Witness Whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands
the said Smith, her mark and hand
Master of Brindle's Forge, witness
of Harkness & Dole, witness
Clerk of the Guild, witness
Given at Sheffield the day and year first above written.
Yorkshire
Smiths